PHILADELPHIA — Separated by an ocean and the entire contiguous United States, Ondrej and David Kase talk every day via FaceTime about their common goal.

Ondrej, the older brother by a year, has already made it to the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks. David, a fifth-round pick of the Flyers in the 2015 draft, is trying a different path.

The brothers, both right wings, were born in the Czech Republic and Ondrej, picked 205th out of 210 players in the 2014 draft, went right from their home country to the American Hockey League. David signed a one-year contract to play in Sweden with the hope of being ready for the AHL next season.

Ondrej, who had a solid rookie season for the Ducks last year, said it was tough to know what advice to give his brother.

“It was perfect for me,” he said of his own path. “Tough first season here in the AHL, but the second was perfect.”

He had 14 points in 25 games for the San Diego Gulls in his first pro season in North America, one that was marred by injuries. Last season he had nine games in the AHL before he was recalled by the Ducks and sent back for a short stint in late March and eventually returned to the NHL, adding two goals in nine playoff games.

Every path is different though, and he thinks his brother’s is the right one for him.

“I think it’s great that he went to Sweden this year,” said Ondrej, who played his third career game against the Flyers Tuesday. “I think he’s had a pretty good season this year, seven points. That’s pretty good. I think it helps him be closer for NHL.

“I think he needs to be a little bit stronger, but he is now. I think every year he’s stronger. It’s the same with me. Two years ago I was a little bit slimmer. I think he goes up and up.”

The younger Kase has grown a bit since the Flyers drafted him. He was 5-foot-9 and barely over 150 pounds at the time, which is why he fell in the draft so far.

His game has always been one of speed and finesse, with leadership qualities the Czech program has admired. He has been either captain or alternate captain three of the last four seasons in international play.

Bulking up has always been part of the homework for Kase and he’s now up to 170 pounds this season and grew two inches in height since the Flyers drafted him. He made the switch from the secondary Czech league to the big boys last year and passed the test.

His current assignment is improving in a new league in Sweden with the team in Mora, a town of 20,000 in the center of the country. In his first 11 games he had three goals and four assists. Flyers defenseman Robert Hagg, a native of Sweden, knows the next step will be even harder.

If Kase goes pro in North America next season it would be to play for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms like Hagg did for three years before ending up with the Flyers.

“The big difference was playing so many more games over here,” Hagg said. “The American (Hockey) League is 76 games, versus 82 (in the NHL). Back home in the top league I think they’re playing 52 now. They cut it down from 54 to 52. That’s the biggest thing.

“Then everything outside of the rink — you need to be comfortable with yourself and your teammates, the language. Then of course the smaller rinks, it takes time to adjust to that. I think if you’re feeling good with yourself, feeling good outside the rink it’s easier to get into everything on the ice as well.”

English is a work in progress for both Kase brothers. David reluctantly did interviews at development camp in the last couple years, but stopped them short when he got frustrated that he couldn’t find the right words. Ondrej is comfortable, provided it’s not on camera. Hagg has complete command of the language, but his confidence only built within the last year or two.

“You’re always picking up one word in every sentence,” Hagg said. “‘OK, I know what that means.’ I was the worst guy in English class when I went to school. I never raised my hand for an answer. I was just trying to sit in the back and be quiet and hope the teacher doesn’t notice me.”

David Kase only lost attention because of his size. He’s hoping his game will get some this year and help him sign an entry-level contract after the Swedish season is over.

Loose Pucks

Sewell native Anthony DeAngelo was sent to the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolfpack Tuesday, on his 22nd birthday, by the New York Rangers. The defenseman had one assist and was a minus-4 in eight games with the Rangers this season. … Jordan Weal returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing two games with an “upper-body injury.” … Brian Elliott got the start against the Ducks, his sixth game out of the Flyers’ nine contests.